Spring Ahead

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We are at the time of the year when we move our clocks ahead one hour in lieu of daylight savings time, the days will become longer, and the feel of spring is in the air. It is time to say goodbye to “old man winter” and look forward to that first robin of the year to appear.

This is the perfect time to start planning the outdoor activities that will provide us with our exercise needs. It’s a good time to get the bikes in good working order, it’s also good time to clean-up the golf clubs if you’re a biker or golfer. This can provide inspiration for us to get outside and get some exercise.

Another way we can inspire ourselves into getting out and getting some exercise is to plan to participate in a charitable walk(s). This serves two very good purposes, first we get the exercise, and secondly we help raise money for a good cause. The schedule for most of the walks held during the spring/summer/fall seasons can be found on the internet.

Depending how active you have been throughout the winter will serve as a marker for where you should start. If you are a winter enthusiast and have remained active during the winter months you are probably ready to go. If on the other hand you have spent the winter relatively inactive there are a few things that we should take into consideration such as:

The length of time we spend walking/biking during our initial start. We want to start slowly and increase the time we spend walking/biking up gradually.

Distance, the same holds true with how far we walk or bike. Take short trips to begin with, and gradually increase how far you go.

Lastly, let’s not forget about our pets, the same holds true for them! Time and distance should be gradually increased when walking them if they have spent the winter relatively inactive.

It is important to keep things moving along at a slow and gradually pace because more people have given up on incorporating a regular exercise routine into their lives by starting out too quickly, injuring themselves, becoming disillusioned, and say the heck with this exercise stuff.

Exercise is also more fun when you have someone to do it with. Find a friend, neighbor or family member, they will provide company as well as to help keep you accountable on those days when you just don’t feel like doing anything! The truth is, it’s on the days that we don’t feel like exercising, that afterwards, we usually do feel better about ourselves.

Many folks that exercise on a regular basis find it to be addictive (what a great addiction to have) and are disappointed when they are unable to do so, that is why it is so important to manage our time. When you schedule something ask yourself, is this the time I normally go for my walk or bike ride or whatever form of exercise you do? Try not to break your routine, exercise for our bodies is as important as anything else, it sustains our bodies and provides us with energy.

“Nothing’s better than the wind to your back, the sun in front of you, and your friends beside you”.Aaron Douglas Trimble

Crossroads

In our lifetime we come upon many “cross roads” It is a time in our life when we must make crucial decisions to which road it is we want to go down. Deciding to attend college or join the work force, to get married and have children or not to have children, these would be a “cross roads” decision, as all involve commitment, dedication and are life changing events.

However, the “cross roads” decision that involves the most commitment and dedication is our decision to accept Jesus Christ as our savior. When we accept Him as our savior, our life is truly changed forever.

This is not going to be easy however, and we must pay attention! We read in Matthew 7:14(NLT) “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it”. When we arrive at the “cross roads” we must remember to take the right road and know that we are going to be challenged along the way, not to mention Satan will be doing his best to distract and deter us.

If we remain strong and faithful in our convictions we are reminded in John 14:2 (NIV) “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you”? Is this not the road we all want to be on? Is this not the most important “cross road” in life, the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior?

Business, Life and your Lenten Journey

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is business, life and your Lenten journey!

It is hard to believe that springtime and Resurrection Sunday are nearly upon us! It seems not too long ago we were preparing for Christmas and the New Year. Yet here we are: traveling the 40-day Lenten journey. We tend to think of Lent as a personal pathway, and surely it is. Yet Lent is a spiritual journey, and our faith-based businesses intertwine with our spiritual journeys. For this reason it is important to prayerfully incorporate Lent into our businesses.

How exactly do we take our businesses on a Lenten journey? Let’s explore four actionable steps for those forty days:

Contemplate. Contemplate any areas in which Christ is not first and foremost in your business. Perhaps in your mission statement? In your marketing? In your projects or products or programs?Prayerfully and thoughtfully compose a list. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Capitulate. Surrender these areas to Christ and seek His forgiveness.The more we die to Christ, the more we experience rebirth in Him. This is true in every aspect of life, including our businesses. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Concentrate. Having contemplated and capitulated, it is time to concentrate your efforts and energies to Christ-centered transformation. Ponder each area of surrender and determine the practical steps of repentance. How exactly will you revise your mission statement? What exactly will you change in your marketing practices or messages? What will you add, change or eliminate in your projects, products and programs? Determine the practical steps and commit yourself to their practice. “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)

Celebrate. Lastly, celebrate the fruit and give glory to God! Lent is a time of testing and trial; yet the triumphant outcome is deeper intimacy with Christ, powerful transformation for His glory and sweet celebration in His presence. “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalm 150:1-6)

Embrace this Lenten journey as a time to grow in God’s grace both personally and professionally. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)

If you need help with traveling a Lenten journey for your business or with building your business overall…I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!

Let’s Pray:Our Loving Lord, we thank You for this Lenten journey. We thank You for the transformation we will experience by Your grace. We thank You for the victory we will know by Your power. Help us, Life-Giving Light, to capitulate areas of sin and to concentrate on repentance. Help us to live every moment for Your glory. We love you with every fiber of our beings, every moment of every day…and it is in Your Name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

Pressing Reset

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is pressing reset!

Habits are powerful tools, yet they can accumulate over time to leave us stuck in an uninspired quagmire. Routines that once served us may no longer. Perspectives may need shifting. Beliefs may need revamping. As overwhelming as it may seem to overhaul our habits, we can ignite powerful change…and quickly! Yes, we can press that reset button at any moment.

How exactly do we press reset? Let’s explore five actionable steps:

Vision Victory. If things are not ideal in your business or in your life, begin to envision what “ideal” looks like. How does your ideal day unfold from beginning to end? What type of clients do you serve? What types of programs do you offer? How much free time do you enjoy? How many vacations do you take? How much income do you earn? How much money do you contribute to churches and causes? Vision your victory with as much detail as possible.

Evaluate and Evict. Having envisioned victory in your business and life, evaluate your current habits and determine which ones should remain, which ones need refinement, which ones need to be added, and which ones need eviction. Write a comprehensive list of your current habits, document your notes by each list item, and seek God’s guidance throughout the process.

Ride the Tide. In adding, refining and eliminating habits, you will undoubtedly feel discomfort, disruption and pain. Choose to ride the emotional waves and to embrace the positive changes. View the discomfort as birthing pains…and remember that these challenges are more than worthwhile. Ride the tide and keep your eyes on the prize. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. “ (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Face the Fruit. Once you have overhauled your habits despite the discomfort, start documenting your short-term and long-term fruit. We often overlook the good fruit of our efforts unless we train our eyes and our hearts to see. Choose to see your fruit and to celebrate your progress. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Rejoice in Renewal. All things are made new in Christ, and we can press reset at any moment by His grace. Remember to give glory to God and to thank Him for the refreshment we find in His presence!

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5)

If you need help with pressing reset or with building your business overall…I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!

Let’s Pray: Remarkable and Radiant Source of Renewal, we thank You for the new life we find in You. We thank You for the refreshment we find in Your living water. We thank You for the new creations You have made us to be. Help us to discern areas that need growth, and grant us the grace to press reset. We love you with every fiber of our beings, every moment of every day…and it is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.